ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Practice 2019 B
| Study Guide – 90 Q&A
Cardiovascular (15 Questions)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which finding indicates the
medication is effective?
o A. Increased urine output ✓
o B. Decreased heart rate
o C. Increased blood pressure
o D. Decreased respiratory rate
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which cardiac
rhythm should the nurse anticipate on the monitor?
o A. Sinus tachycardia
o B. Atrial fibrillation
o C. Premature ventricular contractions ✓
o D. Sinus bradycardia
3. Before administering digoxin, the nurse assesses the apical pulse and finds it to be 52
beats/min. What is the nurse's priority action?
o A. Administer the medication as ordered.
o B. Withhold the medication and notify the provider. ✓
o C. Administer half the dose.
o D. Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
4. A client with an MI reports severe chest pain. After administering nitroglycerin per
protocol, the pain is unrelieved. What is the nurse's next action?
o A. Reposition the client.
o B. Administer morphine sulfate as ordered. ✓
, o C. Notify the provider in one hour.
o D. Increase the oxygen flow rate.
5. Which instruction is most important for a client discharged on warfarin?
o A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
o B. "Avoid sudden position changes."
o C. "Use a soft-bristle toothbrush." ✓
o D. "Limit fluid intake."
Respiratory (15 Questions)
6. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse assesses
lethargy and a decreased respiratory rate. What complication should the nurse
suspect?
o A. Hypoxia
o B. Oxygen-induced hypoventilation (CO2 narcosis) ✓
o C. Respiratory acidosis
o D. Pulmonary embolism
7. Which finding is the earliest indicator of hypoxia?
o A. Cyanosis
o B. Restlessness and anxiety ✓
o C. Bradycardia
o D. Stupor
8. The nurse is preparing to suction a client with a tracheostomy. Which action is correct?
o A. Apply suction during catheter insertion.
o B. Apply suction for no more than 10-15 seconds. ✓
o C. Use clean technique.
o D. Hyperoxygenate with 50% FiO2 for 30 seconds post-suctioning.
, 9. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
o A. Normal functioning
o B. An air leak in the system ✓
o C. Suction is too high
o D. The tube is kinked
10. For a client with pneumonia, which intervention is a priority to prevent aspiration?
o A. Encourage deep breathing.
o B. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees. ✓
o C. Administer antibiotics on time.
o D. Provide frequent oral care.
Neurological (10 Questions)
11. The nurse assesses a client who had a stroke and finds left-sided facial droop and arm
weakness. Which area of the brain is most likely affected?
o A. Cerebellum
o B. Brainstem
o C. Right cerebral hemisphere ✓
o D. Left cerebral hemisphere
12. A client is admitted with a suspected stroke. Which diagnostic test is most critical to
perform first?
o A. Lumbar puncture
o B. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
o C. Non-contrast CT scan of the head ✓
o D. MRI
13. Which finding in a client with a head injury requires immediate intervention?
o A. Headache
, o B. Decerebrate posturing ✓
o C. Pupils equal and reactive to light
o D. Sleepiness
14. When teaching a client about Parkinson's disease, the nurse should explain that
symptoms are caused by:
o A. Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. ✓
o B. Plaques and tangles in the cerebral cortex.
o C. Demyelination of nerve fibers.
o D. Blockage of cerebral arteries.
15. What is the priority assessment for a client receiving IV mannitol for increased
intracranial pressure?
o A. Lung sounds
o B. Serum potassium
o C. Urine output ✓
o D. Blood glucose
Gastrointestinal (10 Questions)
16. A client with cirrhosis has 4+ pitting edema and ascites. The nurse understands this is
due to:
o A. Hyperalbuminemia
o B. Portal hypertension and decreased serum albumin ✓
o C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
o D. Fluid overload from excessive IV fluids
17. Which dietary instruction is appropriate for a client with dumping syndrome after
gastrectomy?
o A. Drink fluids with meals.
o B. Eat three large meals daily.
| Study Guide – 90 Q&A
Cardiovascular (15 Questions)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which finding indicates the
medication is effective?
o A. Increased urine output ✓
o B. Decreased heart rate
o C. Increased blood pressure
o D. Decreased respiratory rate
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which cardiac
rhythm should the nurse anticipate on the monitor?
o A. Sinus tachycardia
o B. Atrial fibrillation
o C. Premature ventricular contractions ✓
o D. Sinus bradycardia
3. Before administering digoxin, the nurse assesses the apical pulse and finds it to be 52
beats/min. What is the nurse's priority action?
o A. Administer the medication as ordered.
o B. Withhold the medication and notify the provider. ✓
o C. Administer half the dose.
o D. Recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
4. A client with an MI reports severe chest pain. After administering nitroglycerin per
protocol, the pain is unrelieved. What is the nurse's next action?
o A. Reposition the client.
o B. Administer morphine sulfate as ordered. ✓
, o C. Notify the provider in one hour.
o D. Increase the oxygen flow rate.
5. Which instruction is most important for a client discharged on warfarin?
o A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
o B. "Avoid sudden position changes."
o C. "Use a soft-bristle toothbrush." ✓
o D. "Limit fluid intake."
Respiratory (15 Questions)
6. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse assesses
lethargy and a decreased respiratory rate. What complication should the nurse
suspect?
o A. Hypoxia
o B. Oxygen-induced hypoventilation (CO2 narcosis) ✓
o C. Respiratory acidosis
o D. Pulmonary embolism
7. Which finding is the earliest indicator of hypoxia?
o A. Cyanosis
o B. Restlessness and anxiety ✓
o C. Bradycardia
o D. Stupor
8. The nurse is preparing to suction a client with a tracheostomy. Which action is correct?
o A. Apply suction during catheter insertion.
o B. Apply suction for no more than 10-15 seconds. ✓
o C. Use clean technique.
o D. Hyperoxygenate with 50% FiO2 for 30 seconds post-suctioning.
, 9. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
o A. Normal functioning
o B. An air leak in the system ✓
o C. Suction is too high
o D. The tube is kinked
10. For a client with pneumonia, which intervention is a priority to prevent aspiration?
o A. Encourage deep breathing.
o B. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees. ✓
o C. Administer antibiotics on time.
o D. Provide frequent oral care.
Neurological (10 Questions)
11. The nurse assesses a client who had a stroke and finds left-sided facial droop and arm
weakness. Which area of the brain is most likely affected?
o A. Cerebellum
o B. Brainstem
o C. Right cerebral hemisphere ✓
o D. Left cerebral hemisphere
12. A client is admitted with a suspected stroke. Which diagnostic test is most critical to
perform first?
o A. Lumbar puncture
o B. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
o C. Non-contrast CT scan of the head ✓
o D. MRI
13. Which finding in a client with a head injury requires immediate intervention?
o A. Headache
, o B. Decerebrate posturing ✓
o C. Pupils equal and reactive to light
o D. Sleepiness
14. When teaching a client about Parkinson's disease, the nurse should explain that
symptoms are caused by:
o A. Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. ✓
o B. Plaques and tangles in the cerebral cortex.
o C. Demyelination of nerve fibers.
o D. Blockage of cerebral arteries.
15. What is the priority assessment for a client receiving IV mannitol for increased
intracranial pressure?
o A. Lung sounds
o B. Serum potassium
o C. Urine output ✓
o D. Blood glucose
Gastrointestinal (10 Questions)
16. A client with cirrhosis has 4+ pitting edema and ascites. The nurse understands this is
due to:
o A. Hyperalbuminemia
o B. Portal hypertension and decreased serum albumin ✓
o C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
o D. Fluid overload from excessive IV fluids
17. Which dietary instruction is appropriate for a client with dumping syndrome after
gastrectomy?
o A. Drink fluids with meals.
o B. Eat three large meals daily.
